Beginning July 6, 2001, several specimen
collection changes will be implemented. They are
necessary due to a change in our reference laboratory, from American
Medical Laboratories (AML) to Quest Diagnostics.

All blood specimens submitted for
aluminum analysis must be collected in royal blue top tubes
(with or without EDTA). The orange top tubes currently used
for aluminum testing will no longer be accepted.

Please discard all orange top tubes to prevent
confusion. Royal blue top tubes (with and without EDTA) can be
obtained from Medical Laboratories Central Receiving. Off site
facilities may order these tubes by calling Medical Laboratories client
services at 434-924-5172.

All blood specimens submitted for lead
analysis must be collected in royal blue top tubes (with EDTA),
lavender top tubes or lavender top microtainers. The green top
tubes and green top microtainers will no longer be accepted.

All blood specimens submitted for
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antigenemia analysis must be collected in
dark green top tubes (sodium heparin).

NEW REFERENCE INTERVALS
FOR COAGULATION TESTING

New instrumentation in the Coagulation Division of Medical
Laboratories will be placed in use on June 28, 2001. The new
instrumentation will result in the establishment of the following new
reference intervals. All patient reports, both paper and
electronic, reflect the appropriate reference interval for the
method/instrumentation used.

Assay

NEW referenceinterval

PT-Based Factor Assays

Factor II

80-143 (%)

Factor V

80-169 (%)

Factor VII

74-180 (%)

Factor X

81-154 (%)

PTT-Based Factor Assays

Factor VIII

61-187 (%)

Factor IX

56-191 (%)

Factor XI

87-163 (%)

Factor X

68-178 (%)

Specialty Assays

Protein C Activity

78-169 (%)

Protein S Activity

75-144 (%)

Alpha-2 Antiplasmin

82-128 (%)

Plasminogen Activity

74-145 (%)

Reptilase Time

17-21 (seconds)

PTT-LA (Lupus Anticoagulant)

34.1-44.8 (seconds)

DRVVT(Screen Lupus Anticoagulant)

29.1-45.5 seconds)

DRVVT(Confirmation Lupus Anticoagulant)

29.2-36.7 (seconds)

VonWillebrands Antigen

48-188 (%)

Please page the resident on-call for the Special Coagulation
Laboratory at pic # 1663 with questions.